Research Paper: Due  at the beginning of class.  Any essays turned in more than 15 minutes after class starts will be considered late.

The Prompt: Write an essay in which you take a position on a subject, argue it, and convince your audience of its benefits.  You may argue on an issue of a local concern like arguing for the voucher system in San Diego county, or another issue that has relevance to the students in the class. Present the issue to your readers, and develop an argument for the purpose of confirming, challenging, or changing their views on the issue.  Avoid topics such as abortion and gun control, or anything of a religious nature--- these topics are too complex to handle in such a short essay. You will need to cite at least five sources (three or four to support your argument, and one or two to serve as counterarguments).

          Length of Research Paper: 6-7 pp

Online paragraph/discussion of your subject. Everyone must submit a paragraph on ___________in which you state your topic and a discussion of what you hope to convince your reader.  Make sure to address such questions as:  What is your current opinion of the topic?  Why are you interested in researching this topic?  How will you try to convince your reader? (statistics? examples?) What sources do you think you will use and why?  This will be a part of your grade.